Toy vehicle having side to side bouncing motion

ABSTRACT

A device and method for creating side-to-side movements in a toy is claimed. The device includes a frame. The frame is supported by suspension elements that extend downwardly from the frame. If the device is configured as a vehicle, the suspension elements terminate at their low ends with wheels. Some of the suspension elements are pivotably connected to the right side of the frame. Alternately, some of the suspension elements are pivotably connected to the left side of the frame. A mechanism is provided that rotates the suspension elements on the right side of the frame and the suspension elements on the left side of the frame in an alternating pattern. As the suspension elements on the right side of the frame and the left side of the frame are rotated, the suspension elements extend below the frame and increase the distance between the frame and the wheels suspended below the frame. Since the suspension elements on the right and left of the frame are extending in an alternating pattern, the left and right sides of the frame rise and fall at different times. This causes the frame to have the desired side-to-side movement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to toy vehicles that have motors that create movement in the toy vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to toy vehicles that have motor assemblies designed to produce vertical movement in the toy vehicle rather than forward and backward movement.

[0003] 2. Statement of the Prior Art

[0004] Toy vehicles often are modeled after real vehicles and mimic the real vehicle in contour, proportions and color scheme. In order to make such vehicles even more realistic, many such vehicles contain electronic assemblies that enable the toy vehicle to sound and/or move like the real vehicle from which they are modeled. For example, toy motor cycles often include sound synthesizers that produce the sound of a real motorcycle. Toy dump trucks often have motors that enable the bed of the truck to lift and dump a load.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,575 to Rehkemper discloses a toy car device that produces up and down movements in the car. The toy car is designed to mimic the movements of what is commonly referred to as a low-rider car. Real low-rider cars have selectively adjustable pneumatic suspensions that enable the front of the car and the rear of the car to bounce up and down. Since the purpose of the toy car described in the Rehkemper patent is to mimic a real low-rider car, the mechanism described in the Rehkemper patent can selectively make the front wheel suspension oscillate up and down and/or make the rear wheel suspension oscillate up and down.

[0006] As real low-rider cars become increasing popular, many customizations are being produced in their design. One such customization is the ability to control the suspension for each of the four wheels independently. With such a customization, the wheel suspensions on the left side of the car can be controlled independently from the wheel suspensions on the right side of the car. As a result, the car can bounce side to side and appear to dance.

[0007] There are no mechanisms in the prior art of toy vehicles that has been designed to produce a side-to-side dancing motion in those vehicles. A need therefore exists for a motorized mechanism that separately controls the wheel suspensions on the left side and right side of a model car, thereby enabling the model car to dance from side-to-side. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is a device and method for creating side-to-side movements in a toy, such as a model car. The device includes a frame. The frame is supported by suspension elements that extend downwardly from the frame. If the device is configured as a vehicle, the suspension elements terminate at their low ends with wheels. Some of the suspension elements are pivotably connected to the right side of the frame. Additionally, some of the suspension elements are pivotably connected to the left side of the frame. A mechanism is provided that rotates the suspension elements on the right side of the frame and the suspension elements on the left side of the frame in an alternating pattern. As the suspension elements on the right side of the frame and the left side of the frame are rotated, the suspension elements extend below the frame and increase the distance between the frame and the wheels suspended below the frame. Since the suspension elements on the right and left sides of the frame are extended in an alternating pattern, the left and right sides of the frame rise and fall at different times. This causes the frame to have the desired side-to-side movement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0010]FIG. 1A is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembly shown at rest;

[0011]FIG. 1B is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembly shown tilted to the left;

[0012]FIG. 1C is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembly shown tilted to the right;

[0013]FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of the frame subassembly of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention assembly shown in FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Although the present invention device can be adapted to produce side-to-side animation in many different types of objects, such as toy animals, the present invention device is particularly well suited for producing side-to-side movements in a model car. Accordingly, the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention device will be shown embodied within a model car in order to present the best mode contemplated for the invention.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a model car 10 that contains the present invention device. The model car 10 has a set of front wheels and a set of rear wheels, as is common to most cars. Although only the front wheels are shown, the wheels on the right side of the model car are referred to using the reference numeral 12 and the wheels on the left side of the model car 10 are referred to using the reference numeral 14. The suspension 16 for the wheels 12 on the right side of the model car 10 and the suspension 18 for the wheels 14 on the left side of the model car 10 are independently controlled.

[0017] When at rest, the suspension 16 for the wheels 12 on the right side of the model car 10 and the suspension 18 for the wheels 14 on the left side of the model car 10 are evenly extended. As such, the chassis 20 of the model car 10 is level. Referring to FIG. 1B, it can be seen that the suspension 16 of the right wheels 12 of the model car 10 can be selectively extended. This causes the chassis 20 of the model car 10 to tilt to the left. After the suspension 16 elevates the right side of the chassis 20 to a predetermined height, the suspension 16 retracts and the chassis 20 returns to the level condition shown in FIG. 1A.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1C, it can be seen that the suspension 18 for the wheels 14 on the left side of the chassis 20 can be selectively extended. This causes the chassis 20 to tilt to the right. After the suspension 18 elevates the left side of the chassis 20 to a predetermined height, the suspension 18 retracts and the chassis 20 returns to the level condition shown in FIG. 1A. By repeatedly alternating between extending the suspension on both the right side of the chassis 20 and the left side of the chassis 20, the chassis 20 can be caused to tilt from side to side and appear to dance.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of the model car device 10 is shown with the chassis 20 removed. In FIG. 2, a base frame 22 is shown. It is the base frame 22 upon which the chassis 20 rests. An electric motor 24 and a transmission assembly 26 are supported on the base frame 22 and are hidden from view under the chassis 20. Extending from either side of the transmission assembly 26 is a wedge element 28. As will later be explained, the electric motor 24 and the transmission assembly 26 combine to cause each of the wedge elements 28 to reciprocally move up and down.

[0020] A set of front suspension elements 30 are coupled to the base frame 22. Each font suspension element 30 is coupled to the base frame 22 with a first pivot 32. Although a single front suspension element 30 is shown, it should be understood that there is a front suspension element 30 on both the right and left side of the base frame 22. At one end of each front suspension element 30 is positioned one of the forward wheels of the model car assembly 10. At the opposite end of each front suspension element 30, the front suspension element 30 is bent upwardly and contacts the wedge element 28.

[0021] Similarly, a set of rear suspension elements 36 are coupled to the base frame 22, one on the left side of the base frame 22 and one on the right side of the base frame 22. Each rear suspension element 36 is coupled to the base frame 22 with a second pivot 38. At one end of each rear suspension element 36 is positioned one of the rearward wheels of the model car assembly 10. At the opposite end of each rear suspension element 36, the rear suspension element 36 is bent upwardly and contacts the wedge element 28.

[0022] As the wheels support the weight of the model car assembly 10, the weight of the model car assembly 10 causes the front suspension element 30 to rotate clockwise around the first pivot 32 and likewise causes the rear suspension element 36 to rotate counter-clockwise second pivot 38. The rotation of the front suspension element 30 and the rear suspension element 36 is blocked by the presence of the wedge element 28, wherein the vertical position of the wedge element 28 determines the degree of allowable rotation. As the wedge element 28 moves upwardly in the direction of arrow 41, the wedge element 28 separates the front suspension element 30 from the rear suspension element 36. This causes the front suspension element 30 to rotate counter-clockwise around the first pivot 32 and causes the rear suspension element 36 to rotate clockwise around the second pivot 38.

[0023] As the front suspension element 30 is pushed by the rising wedge element 28 and rotates counter-clockwise around the first pivot 32, the front suspension element 30 extends below the base frame 22 and elevates the base frame 22 upwardly. Simultaneously, as the rear suspension element 36 rotates clockwise around the second pivot 38, the rear suspension element 36 extends below the base frame 22 and elevates the base frame 22 upwardly. Since the front suspension element 30 and the rear suspension element 36 on the same side of the base frame 22 are extended simultaneously by the same wedge element 28, the rising of the wedge element 28 on one side of the transmission assembly 26 causes that side of the model car 10 to rise.

[0024] As has been previously mentioned, there is a wedge element on the left side of the transmission assembly 26 and on the right side of the transmission assembly 26. The two wedge elements are opposite in phase. Accordingly, as one of the wedge elements is rising, the opposite wedge element is falling. This causes opposite sides of the model car assembly 10 to rise and fall in succession, thereby giving the model car assembly 10 its side-to-side dancing movement.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the electric motor 24 turns a drive gear 40 within the transmission assembly 26. The drive gear 40 turns a series of reduction gears 42 that increase rotational torque and decrease rotational speed. The reduction gears 42 turn a pinion gear 44 that is intermeshed with an annular gear 46. The annular gear 46 is annular in shape, having a cylindrical outer wall 48. Gear teeth are formed on both edges of the cylindrical outer wall 48. As the annular gear 46 turns, it drives a left pinion gear 50 and a right pinion gear 52. The left pinion gear 50 is located on the left side of the transmission assembly 26. The right pinion gear 52 is located on the right side of the transmission assembly 26. As the annular gear 46 turns, the right pinion gear 52 is turned in a counter-clockwise rotation and the left pinion gear 50 is turned in a clockwise rotation.

[0026] A left half gear 56 is coupled to the left pinion gear 50. A right half gear 54 is coupled to the right pinion gear 52. Each half gear 54, 56 contains gears only across 180 degrees of rotation. Furthermore, the position of the gearing on the left half gear 56 is 180 degrees out of phase with the gearing contained on the right half gear 54. The wedge element 28R on the right side of the transmission assembly 26 is connected to a right gear rack 58 within the transmission assembly 26. The wedge element 28L on the left side of the transmission assembly 26 is connected to a left gear rack 60 within the transmission assembly 26. The left gear rack 60 and the right gear rack 58 are engaged by the left half gear 56 and the right half gear 54, respectively. As the left half gear 56 rotates, the gears on the left half gear 56 engage the left gear rack 60 and cause the left gear rack 60 to rise. As the left gear rack 60 rises the left wedge element 28L rises. Eventually, the left half gear 56 rotates to a point where there are no gears contacting the left gear rack 60. At this point, gravity causes the left gear rack 60 and the left wedge element 28L to fall back to their lowest point.

[0027] As the right half gear 54 rotates, the gears on the right half gear 54 engage the right gear rack 58 and causes the right gear rack 58 to rise. As the right gear rack 58 rises, the right wedge element 28R rises. Eventually, the right half gear 54 rotates to a point where there are no gears contacting the right gear rack 58. As this point, gravity causes the right gear rack 58 and the right wedge element 28R to fall back to their lowest point. Since the gearing on the left half gear 56 and the right half gear 54 are 180 degrees out of phase, the left wedge element 28L and the right wedge element 28R rise and fall at opposite times. This causes the left side and the right side of the model car assembly 10 to alternately rise and fall, as has previously been explained.

[0028] The present invention model car assembly 10 will dance side-to-side when the electric motor 24 is activated. When activated, the electric motor 24 need only rotate in a single direction. To activate the electric motor 24, batteries can be positioned in the model car assembly 10 and a simple on/off switch can be used. In another embodiment, a tether can be attached to the electric motor 24, wherein the tether attaches to a control module. In the control module, batteries and user adjustable controls can be provided for the electric motor 24 and thus the operation of the model car assembly 10.

[0029] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present invention model car assembly are merely exemplary and do not represent all embodiments intended to be included by the scope of this disclosure. A person skilled in the art can vary the embodiments of the invention described by using functionally equivalent components in a variety of different shapes, sizes and orientations. For example many different transmission designs can be produced to cause the two wedge elements to rise and fall at opposite times. All such alternate embodiments and modifications of the described invention are intended to be included in the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A model vehicle assembly, comprising: a frame; two left side suspension elements coupled to said frame; two right side suspension elements coupled to said frame; four wheels, wherein a wheel is coupled to each of said left side suspension elements and each of said right side suspension elements, whereby said left side suspension elements support two of said wheels a first distance below said frame and said right side suspension elements support two of said wheels a second distance below said frame; and a mechanism for alternately manipulating said left side suspension elements and said right side suspension elements to alternately change said first distance and said second distance, respectively.
 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said left side suspension elements and each of said right side suspension elements have a first end and a second end, and are coupled to said frame at pivot points between said first end and said second end.
 3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein said mechanism alternately rotates said left side suspension elements and said right side suspension elements about their respective pivot points.
 4. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes an electric motor and a transmission.
 5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said transmission engages said left side suspension elements and said right side suspension elements, thereby creating reciprocating motion in said left side suspension elements and said right side suspension elements.
 6. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said transmission has a left side, a right side and two wedge elements, a separate wedge element being located on said left side and said right side of said transmission, wherein said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in said wedge elements.
 7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said left side suspension elements abut against one of said wedge elements and are displaced by that wedge element as said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in that wedge element.
 8. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein said right side suspension elements abut against one of said wedge elements and are displaced by that wedge element as said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in that wedge element.
 9. A toy vehicle, comprising: a frame having a left side and a right side; four wheels suspended from said frame, wherein two of said wheels are suspended from said left side of said frame and two of said wheels are suspended from said right side of said frame; a mechanism for selectively elevating said frame relative said four wheel, wherein said mechanism alternately elevates said left side of said frame and said right side of said frame.
 10. The toy vehicle according to claim 9, further including a plurality of suspension elements, two of said suspension elements being pivotably connected to the left side of said frame and two of said suspension elements being pivotably connected to the right side of said frame, wherein said wheels are suspended from said frame by said suspension elements.
 11. The toy vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said mechanism pivots the suspension elements on the left side of the frame and pivots the suspension elements on the right side of said frame in an alternating pattern.
 13. The toy vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said mechanism includes an electric motor and a transmission.
 14. The toy vehicle according to claim 13, wherein said transmission has a left side, a right side and two wedge elements, a separate wedge element being located on said left side and said right side of said transmission, wherein said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in wedge elements.
 15. The toy vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the suspension elements on the left side of the frame abut against one of said wedge elements and are displaced by that wedge element as said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in that wedge element.
 16. The toy vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the suspension elements on the right side of the frame abut against one of said wedge elements and are displaced by that wedge element as said transmission creates reciprocating vertical motion in that wedge element.
 17. A method of creating side-to-side movement in a toy, comprising the steps of: providing a toy having a frame supported by a plurality of suspension elements that extend downwardly a predetermined distance from said frame, wherein some of said suspension elements extend from a left side of said frame and some of said suspension elements extend from a right side of said frame; periodically altering said predetermined distance that said suspension elements extend from said frame, wherein the suspension elements on the right side of the frame and the suspension elements on the left side of the frame are extended in an alternating pattern, thereby creating a repeating side-to-side movement in said frame.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said toy is a vehicle and each of said suspension elements terminates at one end with a wheel.
 19. The method according to claim 17, wherein each of said suspension elements is coupled to said frame with a pivot and said step of periodically altering said predetermined distance includes rotating the suspension elements about their pivots. 